Casement hinge



United States Patent O 3,103,351 CASEMENT HINGE Axel W. Ahlgren, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Amerock Corporation, Rockford, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 31, 1961, Ser. No. 135,192 7 Claims. (Cl. 268-117) This invention relates to a hinge such as may be used to mount the sash of a easement window to swing about a vertical axis when a manually operated gear coacts with the hinge and, more particularly, to hinges of the type in which a slide assembly moves the axis back .and forth along the sill of the window frame as the sash swings open and closed.

The general object of the invention is to provide a hinge of the above character with a new and improved slide assembly which is durable in service use, which is comparatively simple in construction and easy to manufacture and which slides freely and easily along the sill of the frame and smoothly swings the sash open and closed.

A more detailed object is to form the assembly with van elongated rack to be driven by the gear for laterally moving the vertical axis of the sash away from the side edge of the frame toward the center of the window thereby opening the window and positioning the sash with an open space on both sides thereof.

A further object is to arrange the manually operated gear and the rack so that xed, tightly tted pivotal connections can be used on the sash to eliminate a rattling of the sash by the wind when the window is in the open position.

The invention also resides in the novel manner in which the rack is integrally molded with a shoe, a strip and a plate of the slide assembly to minimize the number of parts and hence the amount of time necessary to install the hinge.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be- 'come apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a window supported by the novel slide assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken Ialong the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. l. y

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hinge.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the hinge in closed and partially open positions.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective View in the partially open position of the hinge shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the slide assembly.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in a easement window construction including a window frame 10 having a sash seat 11 in each of the four sides thereof. A rectangular window sash 12 with rabbeted top and bottom edges 13 is mounted in the Window opening to swing about a laterally movable vertical axis a by means of a hinge mechanism 14. If desired, the window construction may include a horizontally disposed back stop strip, such as shown at 13a in FIG. 2, carrying a tubular Weather strip 13b which abuts against the four sides of the sash 12 when the window is closed.

The hinge mechanism 14 for swinging the sash about the vertical ,axis includes a sash link 15 extending along and fastened to the bottom edge of the sash and a swivel link 16 pivotally connected at one end to an end 17 of the sash link 15 by a pin 18 and pivotally mounted at the other end on a pin 19 xed on the sill 20 of the frame.

3,103,351 Patented Sept. 10, 1963 ICC For lateral movement of the axis in conjunction with the swinging movement, the fulcrum end 21 of the sash link 15 is pivotally connected to one end of a slide assembly 22 which is disposed for edgewise sliding on a horizontal track 23, the track being part of an L-shaped bar 24 fastened by wood screws 25 to the sill.

The vertical side 26 of the L-shaped bar 24 extends .along the bottom sash seat 11 and forms a channel 27. With the sash in the closed position, the rabbeted edges 13 receive the channel 27 and 4allow the sash to close flush against the sash yseats on the sides of the frame. A rectangular hole 2-8 is formed in the lower half of the vertical side 26 land is of 1a sufcient size to receive a portion of the outer periphery of la manually operated gear 29 mounted adjacent the channel on the opposite side of the horizontal track 23, the gear being turned by a crank 30 connected thereto.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a novel slide assembly 22 which is comparatively simple in construction and which is not only durable in service use but also opens and closes the sash 12 with a Ismooth land easy action. To these ends, the slide assembly includes an elongated rack 31, which meshes with the gear 29 and slides endwise along -the sill 20 and a pivot 41 which connects lthe sash and the rack, the laxis of the pivot defining the axis a of the sash. With this arrangement, the pivot 41 moves .toward and -away from the pivot 19 as the gear 29 slides the rack 31 back and forth and thus swings the sash open and closed. Preferably, the pivot 41 is adjacent one end of the -rack and is connected to the sash through the medium of the link 15.

In the present instance, the assembly 22 comprises a generally rectangular plate 33 with one end formed with an upturned llange 34 which is embedded in one end 35 of the rack 31. At -the opposite edge 36 of the plate is a shoe 32 which is shorter than the rack and rides on Ithe outery edge portion of the track 23, the shoe 32 being molded into holes 37 in the plate to secure'the latter to the shoe. Thus, the shoe moves bodily with the rack and provides additional sliding support for the sash. To complete the assembly, a connecting strip 38 bridges the lateral distance between the rack and the shoe and is connected thereto, the strip 38 lying adjacent the plate 33 in spanning this distance. The gear 29 projects through the hole 2S in the channel 27 to mesh with the rack contained therein and to move the slide assembly 22 end- Wise along the track 23. j

A cylindrical bushing 39 makes up part of the strip iand outlines a hole 40 formed in the plate, the inner periphery of the bushing encircling the outer periphery of the hole at the top and bottom of the plate. In order to pivotal'ly connect the bushing 39 to the `fulcrum end 21 of the sash link 15, the pivot -41 lis in the form of a pin journaled in a hol-e `42 in the link and in the Ihole 40. In this manner, the hinge mechanism 14 is pivotally connected to the slide assembly 22 to complete the hinge on the sill of the frame. To mount the sash at the top of the frame, a hinge is used which is identical in construction except for its disposition in the frame.

According Ito another aspect, the invention contemplates the construction of the slide Iassembly 22 in -a novel manner whereby a portion of its parts is combined in a single member to reduce the number `of pieces, to facilitate quick and 'easy assembly and to still be rugged land durable in service use. For these purposes, the shoe 32, the strip 38 and the rack 31 are simply and 'inexpensively molded as a single piece 43 from a suitable plastic material, such as Delrin, the plate 33 being embedded in the plastic material for additional support. As part o-f the single piece, the upper tace 44 and the inner periphery 45 of the bushing 39 form a plastic bearing surface for the fulcrum end 21 of the sash link 15 and the pin 41 journaled therein. Advantage is taken of these plastic surfaces to minimize lfriction las the sash swings open and closed.

-In operation, the sash, as it swings from the closed position to the open position, is supported in the frame by sash links y extending along the top and bottom edges of the sash and is pivotally connected to the slide assembly 22 mounted on the track 23. As illustrated by FIG. 5, the gear 29 in conjunction with the crank 30 and with the cooperation of the rack 31 ydrives the slide assembly Z2 towards the lixed pivotal connection 46 and coacts with the sash links 15 and swivel links 16 to swing the sash on the pivotal connections 47 and 4S (FIG. 5) outward from the frame 'to a position approximately perpendicular to the frame and with substantial openings on both sides thereof. These movements `are reversed on swinging the sash towards the closed position.

I claim as my invention:

l. For use with a window having .a frame and a sash mounted in said frame to -swing about an axis normal to the sill of the frame `and a manually operated gear on the sill, the combination of, a generally rectangular plate lying in a horizontal plane adjacent said sill, an elongated rack adapted yto mesh with said `gear `and extending along one edge of said plate, :an elongated shoe disposed adjacent the opposite edge of said plate and paralleling said rack, a strip extending across said plate and connecting said rack and said shoe, said rack, said shoe and said strip being formed of a single piece of molded plastic material with at .least a portion of said plate embedded in said piece, and means on said strip for pivotally connecting the strip to said sash.

2. For use with a window having a frame and a sash mounted in said frame to swing about an axis normal to the sill of the frame and a manually operated gear on the sill, the combination of, a generally rectangular plate lying in a horizontal plane adjacent said sill, an lelongated rack adapted to mesh with said gear and extending :along one side of said plate `with the adjacent edge portion of the plate embedded in the rack, an elongated shoe -disposed adjacent the opposite edge of said plate and paralleling said rack, a portion of said plate being embedded in said shoe, a strip extending across said plate and connecting said rack and said shoe, said rack, said shoe and said strip being formed of -a single piece of molded plastic material, and means on said strip for pivotally connecting the strip to -said sash.

3. For use with a window having a frame Iand a sash mounted in said frame to swing about an axis normal to .the sill of the frame and a manually operated gear on the sill, the combination of, a Igenerally rectangular plate lying in a horizontal plane adjacent said sill, an elongated shoe extending along `one side of said plate, `an elongated rack adapted to mesh with said gear and disposed adjacent the opposite edge of said plate and parallel to said shoe, a cylindrical bushing 4disposed yaround a hole in said plate with the inner periphery of the bushing encircling the outer periphery of the hole, ya strip connecting said rack to said bushing and said shoe, said rack, said shoe, said bushing and said strip being formed of a single piece of molded plastic material with lat least a portion of said plate embedded in said piece, means for pivotally -connecting said sash kadajcent said plate, a hinge mechanism having two elongated links, one of said links adapted to be secured to and extending along the bottom edge of said sash, the upper end and the inner periphery of said bushing having a bearing surface thereon providing a bearing area engageable with an end portion `of said link to reduce friction :as said portion of the link pivots at the bushing, .and the other of said links adapted to be pivotally connected to said lfria-me.

4. For -use with a window having a frame and a sash mounted in said lframe to swing about an :axis normal to the sill of the frame `and a manually operated gear on the sill, the combination of, a generally rectangular plate lyingwin a horizontal plane adjacent said sill, an elongated shoe disposed adjacent the opposite edge of said plate and paralleling said rack, a cylindrical bushing disposed around a hole in said plate with the inner periphery of said bushing encircling the outer periphery of said hole, a strip connecting said rack to said bushing and said shoe, said rack, said shoe, said bushing and said strip being formed of a single piece of molded plastic material with :at least a portion of said plate embedded in said piece, an elongated sash link adapted to be -secured to `and extending along the bottom edge of said sash, yan end portion of said link having a circular hole therein, pivotal means journaled in said hole and in said bushing, the lupper end and the inner periphery of said bushing having a bearing surface thereon and providing a bearing .area at said pivotal surface thereon :and providing a bearing area at said pivotal connection to reduce friction as said link pivots at the bushing, `and an elongated swivel link having one fend pivotally connected to said sash link and the other adapted to be pivotally connected to said frame.

5. For use with @a window having 1a frame and a sash mounted in said frame to swing .about an axis normal to the sill of the frame axis land a manually -operated gear on the sill, the combination of, la generally rectangular plate lying in a horizontal plane adjacent said sill, an elongated rack :adapted to mesh with said gear and extending along one side of said plate 'with the adjacent edge portion of the plate embedded in the rack, an elongated shoe disposed adjacent the opposite edge of said plate and par-alleling said rack, a portion of said plate being embedded in said shoe, a cylindrical bushing disposed around a hole in said plate with the inner periphery of the bushing encircling the outer periphery on the hole, a strip connecting said rack to said bushing and said shoe, said bushing and said strip being formed of a single piece of molded plastic material, lan elongated sash link adapted to be secured to and extending along the bottom edge of said sash, an end portion of said link having a circular hole therein, pivotal means journaled in said hole and -in said bushing, and `an elongated swivel link having one end pivotally connected to said sas-h link and the other end adapted Ito be pivotally connected to said frame.

6. For use with a Window having a frame, a sash mounted in said frame to swing about la iirst axis normal to the sill of the frame and a manually operated gear on the sill, the combination of, an elongated track adapted to be mounted on and extend along said sill, an elongated rack shorter than land extending along the inner edge of said track for meshing with said gear,l an elongated shoe shorter than and parallelwith said rack land -disposed at one end thereof adjacent the outer edge of said track, a strip forming a laterally connecting link between said rack and said shoe to enable a unitary construction of the rack, the shoe and the strip from a piece fof molded plastic material, a generally rectangular plate having one edge fastened to said rack and the opposite edge fastened to said shoe and disposed adjacent said strip for support to said unitary piece, a sash link adapted to extend and be rigidly connected to the bottom :of said slash, means pivotally oonnecting one end of said link to said strip to support the link for turning about said axis whereby the axis shifts laterally upon sliding of said rack and said shoe on said track, a swivel link having one end of said swivel link to said sill, the pivotal axis of said link being parallel to said tirst axis.

7. For use with a window 'having a frame and a sash mounted in said trame to swing between open `and closed positions about la first axis extending along one side edge of the sash, the combination of, an elongated rack mountable `on the sill of said frame yto slide back and forth thereon along a horizontal path perpendicular to said taxis, a shoe tast on one end of said rack for movement therewith, a sash link fulerumed at one end to said shoe to swing about said first axis and projecting horizontally from the shoe and supporting saidl sash on said shoe, a second dink pivoted at one end on the iree end portion of said sash link to swing 'about ia seoond axis, and pivote'd at the other end on said sill to swing about a third .axis spaced 'along said path from said rst axis, said axes all being pamallel, and means for moving said rack and said shoe alternately towai'fd and away from References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stewart Feb. 25, 1930 

1. FOR USE WITH A WINDOW HAVING A FRAME AND A SASH MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME TO SWING ABOUT AN AXIS NORMAL TO THE SILL OF THE FRAME AND A MANUALLY OPERATED GEAR ON THE SILL, THE COMBINATION OF, A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PLATE LYING IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE ADJACENT SAID SILL, AN ELONGATED RACK ADAPTED TO MESH WITH SAID GEAR AND EXTENDING ALONG ONE EDGE OF SAID PLATE, AN ELONGATED SHOE DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE EDGE OF SAID PLATE AND PARALLELING SAID RACK, A STRIP EXTENDING ACROSS SAID PLATE AND CONNECTING SAID RACK AND SAID SHOE, SAID RACK, SAID SHOE AND SAID STRIP BEING FORMED OF A SINGLE PIECE OF MOLDED PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID PLATE EMBEDDED IN SAID PIECE, AND MEANS ON SAID STRIP FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE STRIP TO SAID SASH. 